Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana stated on Saturday that the Philippine Air Force (PAF) cargo plane, the two Lockheed C-130 "Hercules" cargo aircraft and 10 helicopters will be deployed for Typhoon Ompong relief and rescue efforts, particularly in Cagayan Valley, once the weather clears.

According to the official statement of Sec. Lorenzana released during a 9:00 AM press briefing presided by Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque that was held at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Building in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

The DND noted that the two C-130s can airlift relief goods while the 10 helicopters can reach Cagayan Valley's mountainous area to fulfill rescue missions in the affected areas.

The air assets of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) are on standby at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City and it could fly anytime once the weather improves in the areas of their operations in the next few days. Troops are also available in Cagayan and other affected provinces for rescue missions.

PAGASA already reported that Bagyong Ompong made a landfall at Baggao, Cagayan at about 1:40 AM Saturday, September 15, 2018. The DND, Office of the Civil Defense, NDRRMC, DSWD, DPWH and other agencies are still waiting for damage reports cause by Ompong from the Cagayan Valley, Cordillera and Ilocos regions.

Northern Luzon Command head, Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Salamat, is in Tuguegarao, Cagayan managing efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines related to "Ompong", along with the NDRRMC and Office of Civil Defense.